The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate – w/c 4 December 2017
Friday 8 December 2017 - The latest news and updates from the Chalcots Estate
Festive engagement event at Swiss Cottage Library
We’re hosting a special festive event for Chalcots residents on Wednesday 13 December from 2pm to 7pm. Camden staff will be available to offer well and warm advice, fairy light PAT testing and further information about our leisure offer. We’ll also have seasonal refreshments and family activities throughout the afternoon including festive face painting and various arts and crafts. For more information see posters around your block.
Cladding removal and replacement
We’re pleased to announce that the cladding has been removed from Blashford and will be removed from Burnham ahead of schedule next week. Both Bray and Dorney remain on track to be finished before Christmas.
We’re sorry that we will not be able to complete cladding removal from Taplow before Christmas. To ensure you have a peaceful Christmas time, no cladding removal works will take place between 22 December and 2 January.
Contractors will retain an essential service during working hours for all blocks between Christmas and New Year. This service will be able to deal with any urgent site issues, should they arise.
Current works
We have now fitted new front doors to over 500 flats across the Chalcots. To make an appointment to have your new door fitted, or to report any snagging works, please contact your Resident Liaison Officer:
Taplow and Bray – Hayley Townsend – 07702 970354
Burnham and Blashford – Angela Carr – 07590 170332
Dorney – Sue Speller – 07939 158509
Resident safety
If the cladding has been removed from your block, we will be writing to you about future arrangements for the fire warden service shortly. Over the Christmas period, fire wardens will patrol the base of your block. This is to identify any fire risks or safety hazards at the block entrances, as well as to report any suspicious activity such as individuals trying to gain access to the scaffolding.
A number of residents have reported concerns about items including bicycles, bin bags and furniture, left in the communal areas. If you see anything left in the communal areas, you can report it to your Housing Officer or Resident Liaison Officer. Items such as bicycles or furniture left in the communal areas pose safety risks to you and your neighbours. Please do not leave any items in the communal areas, as they will be removed.
Other news
If you are putting up festive decorations please check to make sure they meet British Standards, this should be clearly marked on their packaging. We will also be offering PAT testing of your decorations at our festive event on Wednesday 13 December.
We are currently in the process of meeting with older and vulnerable residents to offer well and warm visits. These bespoke home visits include fuel efficiency advice and tips to maximise your heating usage. If you would like to organise a visit you will also be able to do so at our festive event.
Feedback from TRA technical meeting, Wednesday 6 December 2017, present Blashford, Taplow, Burnham, Bray and Dorney
Council officers noted that there had been a number of incidents reported in the last week where contractors were not treated with respect. They also confirmed that contractors had been reminded that all staff should carry ID when working on the blocks.
Council officers updated that 72% of flat front doors had been fitted across the estate. The system for checking door installations was explained by the new Clerk of Works. Some new issues were raised by the TRA group which the Clerk of Works agreed to look into. Council officers also said they would look at making sure issues raised previously, before the new monitoring process was in place, were followed up. If tenants had any problems with their door or it needed adjustment then they should contact their RLO.
Following a request from the TRA group, Council officers shared the process that flat entrance doors had been through to achieve the PAS24 accreditation. The TRA group requested that the council consider bringing the option of a two-lock system back onto the table. It was agreed to get some stickers made so that, where residents wanted them, they could be put on the inside of the door reminding them to lock it behind them.
Council officers confirmed that contractors were now aware of the need to replace all potentially faulty locks and apologised that this had taken longer than it should have. They stated they would get a timescale for lock replacements to the TRA group as soon as possible to allow appropriate arrangements to be made for affected residents before Christmas. In the meantime, if tenants have any problem with their locks they should contact their RLO.
Council officers reported progress with the cladding removal, but also problems gaining access to a number of flats preventing the removal of panels where the flue pipes comes through. Issues with cold and condensation/water penetration had been reported in some flats. There was discussion around timescales for the replacement of the cladding where it was accepted that a reliable indication of this was not possible until the cladding replacement decision was made by cabinet members in January.
The method being used for calculating the gas rebates and compensation payments was requested and Council officers agreed to explain the approach at the next meeting. It was recognised that, as well as higher gas bills, there had been an increase in electricity consumption used by the central heating pumps. Council officers explained that they were looking at ways of calculating the increased consumption used by the central heating pumps. It was pointed out that some flats are all electric, and officers agreed that methodology needs to be developed to deal with those cases.
Council officers responded to various issues raised about damage to plasterwork/decorations in flat from fire safety improvement works by confirming that contractors were instructed to take all reasonable steps to make good any damage.